Expert Test Drive Review

The hot hatch started with the Palio 1.6 and recently the Polo and Fabia, both with 1.6 litre petrol engines, carried the torch for the hot hatch. But now with the demise of the Polo 1.6, enthusiasts mourned the loss of yet another hot hatch. But it was inevitable with the rising prices of fuel, kmph is now less important than kmpl but there is now some good news finally as Volkswagen has launched the Polo GT TSI which has a 1.2 TSI petrol engine. The Polo has been a smart looking hatchback and the GT TSI version looks the same save for some minor changes. There is a prominent GT badge on the front grille, GT TSI sticker work on the C pillar and GT and TSI badge on the rear on either side. The alloy wheel design is slightly different though we would have loved to see this hot baby with the SR kit that the Polo SR comes with and/or a different contrast color for the roof for that sporty touch! It comes in three colour choices candy white, flash Red and deep black.Like the exterior design, the cabin too looks the same till you start noticing the sporty drilled pedals. Open the door and you notice the door sills adorning the GT TSI badge while the floor mats are new with Polo stitching. The seat fabric is different too and we are told, the rear seat passengers now get upto 30mm of extra knee room, however, the likes of the Brio and the Liva still offer better rear knee and leg room space at the rear. The 1.2 GT TSI version comes with a super 2-DIN RCD 320 audio system along with rear parking sensors.TSI is a technology we all are familiar with thanks to the Jetta and other group offerings in India and the same now finds itself in the Polo as well..... read more

Thanks to TSI technology, it produces the same power, 105PS, as the bigger 1.6-litre petrol engine found in the earlier Polo (optional engine) and the current Vento. So from a 1.2 TSI engine you get lots of power which shows how impressive this technology has now become. Further, maximum torque is way more, importantly building up from as low as 1500rpm which makes city commutes a piece of cake! The Polo easily gathered pace, with the speedometer needle kissing the 150km/h mark with utter ease. We reckon given the road, this hatchback will crack the 175km/h mark, making it the fastest hatchback in India. However, the engine is not only about its outright punch that will give you mile wide grins in plenty, it’s also the way this engine responds in traffic thanks to the 7-speed DSG ‘box. Gear changes are lightning quick and suddenly, all other conventional four and five speed autos we have seen on the regular hatchbacks feel obsolete. It has a sedan like ride quality and gives you a feeling of a luxury car and ride quality is that of a sedan from a higher price range. It absorbs all the bumps, potholes and remains steady and comfortable for everyone in the car. With an ARAI rated figure of almost 18kmpl, this car makes me remember the famous saying, “sometimes, you can eat your cake and have it too!” The Polo GT TSI is priced at Rs 7.99 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi). For a detailed analysis read below.

Like the exterior design, the cabin too looks the same till you start noticing the sporty drilled pedals. Open the door and you notice the door sills adorning the GT TSI badge while the floor mats are new with Polo stitching. The seat fabric is different too and we are told, the rear seat passengers now get upto 30mm of extra knee room, however, the likes of the Brio and the Liva still offer better rear knee and leg room space at the rear. The GT TSI version comes with a super 2-DIN RCD 320 audio system along with rear parking sensors.

What we likeInteriors look sporty and are quality lade

What we don't likeLacks rear space

The Polo has been a smart looking hatchback and the GT TSI version looks the same save for some minor changes. There is a prominent GT badge on the front grille, GT TSI sticker work on the C pillar and GT and TSI badge on the rear on either side. The alloy wheel design is slightly different though we would have loved to see this hot baby with the SR kit that the Polo SR comes with and/or a different contrast color for the roof for that sporty touch! It comes in three colour choices candy white, flash Red and deep black.

What we likeLooks handsome and sporty

What we don't likeA body kit would have been nice!

TSI is a technology we all are familiar with thanks to the Jetta and other group offerings in India and the same now finds itself in the Polo as well with a 1.2 TSI petrol engine. Thanks to TSI technology, it produces the same power, 105PS, as the bigger 1.6-litre petrol engine found in the earlier Polo (optional engine) and the current Vento. Further, maximum torque is way more, importantly building up from as low as 1500rpm which makes city commutes a piece of cake! The Polo easily gathered pace, with the speedometer needle kissing the 150km/h mark with utter ease. We reckon given the road, this hatchback will crack the 175km/h mark, making it the fastest hatchback in India. No, the VW Bettle is still seen as a coupe, not a hatchback! The 0-100km/h run should come up in around 10 seconds, which is around a half a second off the earlier Polo 1.6’s timings. However, the engine is not only about its outright punch that will give you mile wide grins in plenty, it’s also the way this engine responds in traffic thanks to the 7-speed DSG ‘box. Gear changes are lightning quick and suddenly, all other conventional four and five speed autos we have seen on the regular hatchbacks feel obsolete.

What we likeEngine and gearbox are excellent

What we don't likeNo paddle shifter

Petrol Mileage17.2 kmpl

Diesel Mileage19.78 kmpl

With an ARAI rated figure of almost 18kmpl, this car makes me remember the famous saying, “sometimes, you can eat your cake and have it too!”

Volkswagen Polo is a well built car which also handles extremely well and feels like a thoroughbred from VW which is known for building excellent drivers cars. It has good feedback from its steering and seems to be built keeping the enthusiast driver in mind. VW has provided Polo with excellent brakes combined with ABS for stopping power.

What we likeHandles very well.

What we don't likeNeeds more powerful brakes.

It has a sedan like ride quality and gives you a feeling of a luxury car and ride quality is that of a sedan from a higher price range. It absorbs all the bumps, potholes and remains steady and comfortable for everyone in the car.

I happened to take a test drive of the new TSI version last week while researching for an automatic hatchback. At Rs 7.99 lac, it might seem expensive but an hour later after a 15min test drive, I was blown over with this baby.
Its loaded to the brim with technology and features and then some more. Super quick, modern automatic and a very terrific ride quality. The Polo TSI has impressed me - fingers crossed. Might just go for this soon

This is what was needed in the hatchback segment in India. Its like a modern day sedan at Rs 8 lac with performance and ease - the DSG auto box is seen on a Rs 14 lac Laura.
I havent driven this hatchback yet but did have a look at the VW dealership in my city. On paper itself, it has more power and torque than the Hyundai i20 Automatic and is just 10-15k expensive. And then the 7-speed automatic is outta this world.
The Polo also looks brilliant with the only issue being the rear seat space. But then again if you want grins and excitement, the Polo TSI does make so much more sense!

Polo GT TSI is a very good car for a car lover who wants to drive a powerful car in a hach-back segment.
The car is fully loaded with feathers.
It is worth the price.
The only thing which is a draw back is the fuel efficiency of the car.
But having a automatic transmission and a powerful car one has to compromise Either way.